Author: Martin Green

With some watches, you wonder how they look when you actually hold them in your hands. This is most certainly the case with Memomem, as they offer an incredible array of options to custom makes your watch. We had one made as well, to see how the result would be. In the flesh is still quite different from a render on a computer screen. We were not disappointed! First and foremost the build quality is exceptionally high. The watch could easily pass for double its price. Everything is a very tight fit, well decorated, and most importantly: thought through! The watch is full of clever details, many that you can give your own touch, but our favorite is the clasp. This one is purpose build for the watch and handles…

Eastern Europe is picking up speed fast when it comes to creating original, high-end watches which still reside in affordable price categories. Next, to Balticus and Estonia 1918, Slovakian brand Biatec is introducing very interesting watches, and their "Majestic" is one of them. The watch looks much bolder then it actually is, with a case diameter of only 40mm. This is mainly due to the beautiful sunburst dial which Biatec offers in various colors. The sub dial is always silver, providing a nice contrast, unless of course when you opted for a silver dialed Majestic. The case back of the watch is secured with four screws and holds in the middle a coin, made of 18 carat gold. This coin is minted by the Mint of Mincovňa Kremnica, which is…

Ball rightfully named their latest addition to the collection Engineer Master II Voyager. Although a mouth full, the watch unites all the elements of these names in a single timepiece. Next to the bold numerals with Ball's signature micro gas tubes (which are also placed on the hands) is it the large date that demands attention. A subtle subdial at 6 o'clock displays the second-time-zone. With this Ball unites two very popular complications in a single watch that is consistent with their brand DNA. [caption id="attachment_2614" align="aligncenter" width="315"] 44mm Ball Engineer Master II Voyager in the dark[/caption] Ball offers the watch in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm in diameter. Both look similar and well proportioned, although the 44mm comes with a sub dial for the second time zone that eats…

Dit we just announce the birth of the first smart watch that can handle both iOS and Android, we now already have another smartwatch that can do this as well. Actually, that is not true since Kronaby is not just another watch, it is Swedish latest watch brand offering more than one smart watch. [caption id="attachment_2603" align="aligncenter" width="370"] Kronaby Apex[/caption] What makes Kronaby different from other smart watches is that they are powered by a regular battery. Depending on use this should give a battery life of about two years. In those two years, you can take full use of all the different functions that the Kronaby has. For starters, you are in control of them and select which ones you actually want to use. This way your watch will…

Longines is sponsoring the Alpine World Ski Championships and does so fortunately with a new version of the Conquest Classic. The watch is, in fact, a classic Longines in a way that it combines subtle and tasteful design with a reliable movement, all at an affordable price. By not placing any logos of the Alpine World Ski Championships on the front of the watch, as often is a custom with this type of watches, they also make the watch interesting for those who are simply looking for a good watch. For them, there is a lot to love in Longines latest addition to their collection. The 42mm case of the Conquest Classic is clean cut, with pronounced lugs in which between an H-link bracelet fits. It all sets the stage…

Most people are familiar with various off- and online places where they can buy affordable watches. In the last few years, crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have also become sales channels, but there is another one not everybody is familiar with: Massdrop [caption id="attachment_2587" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Armand Nicolet J09 currently on Massdrop[/caption] The concept is quite simple: you basically buy products together, and the more people buy, the lower the price will be. Massdrop does this through "communities" although you don't really have to be a very active participant to be a member. One of these communities focusses on watches, but also offers accessories that go well with watches like collectors boxes and winders. They sometimes have polls on what watches they should offer next, but the most important…

Less is more is a common term these days, usually used by Kickstarter campaigns with a better knack for marketing then designing watches. But the Italians seem to have a different meaning for less is more: lesser lines in a watch designs gives more impact, as is for sure the case with Modello Duo by micro-brand Unimatic. Unimatic is one of those delightful small brands that creates unique watches in limited editions for affordable prices. How affordable? Well, the Modello Duo sets you back 350 euro's (excluding VAT). For that amount of money, you get a charismatic field watch, powered by Seiko's automatic caliber NH35. That field can by the way also extend way below the water level, because the Modello Duo has a generous water resistance of 300 meters.…

Pocket watches, they come and go, and there hasn't been a brand yet that made one and proved to be here to stay. Wood Watch is now trying it with a watch made of, you guessed it, wood. This also has become quite a popular material, but with a strong benchmark like Vejrhoj, it is tough to come with something better. Wood Watch doesn't come with something better but does get points for originality. The pocket watch consists our of a wooden shell in which a metal housing for the pocket watch is placed in. This shell features a cut-out of either the moon-and-stars or a tribal sun design. The first is offered in Koa and Walnut wood, the latter in Zebrano wood and Bamboo. The dials have a world…

When it comes to affordable watches, some people focus on crowdfunding websites to find their next watch, while there are a lot of watches out there from established microbrands. One of those brands is Hemel. This US based brand makes military-inspired watches. As cool as this may sound, many people forget that military watches, in general, where never the most refined pieces. After all, nobody really cares when the bullets started flying, and secondly, it is tax-payers money, so they had to be relatively inexpensive. Hemel combined the two and created a refined, military-inspired watch, called the 24. The main attraction of the watch is the case. It is very well rounded, and this works especially good in combination with the classic black military dial and the vintage inspired hands.…

When it comes to smart watches, your decision is limited by the phone you have. An Apple Watch is of little use without an iPhone, and the same goes for any Android-powered smart watch. Exe Watch is going to fix this with the very first smart watch that can handle both. https://vimeo.com/183267994 The Exe Watch comes in two different versions, the C2, and the more advanced C7. The C7 is US$20,- more expensive as the C2 but in return, you get 400 x 400 pixels instead of 240 x 240 pixels, 256MB RAM instead of 128MB and more sensors. Heart rate, Barometer, and temperature are added onto the G-sensor that the C2 also has. Unique is that the C7 is also fitted with a UV-sensor, which can warn you how…